Articles and analysis on today's issues

Federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could cause some DC-area families to lose an average of $187 in monthly benefits.
Considering the future of Pay for Success at the federal, state, and local levels The Urban Institute on October 14 will welcome OMB director Shaun Donovan to discuss the financing mechanism and the quest for evidence-based policy.Better supporting state economic development For state and local leaders, two fast-approaching deadlines will mean a wider range of interest in economic development programs than usual.What defines a “city”? City rankings always attract attention, but readers should step back and fully understand what is being measured in each case.Why you should care that private investors don’t want to buy your mortgage anymore If securitization remains purely backed by government, it could restrict mortgage lending for all borrowers, even those with pristine credit.Does financial coaching help people reach their financial goals? In a new study, participants offered financial coaching had an average debt reduction of $10,644 more than those who were not offered services.Financial coaching: a new method for improving financial well-being Coaching helps people across the income spectrum set goals and plan concrete steps to meet intermediate- and long-term financial goals.